Great Plains Annuity & Life Marketing Blog

Great Plains partnered with our local VFW Post to gather new toys and stuffed animals for Toys For Tots and donated them to local children in need. "The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens." - Toys for Tots Website Our office, along with help from other suites in our building, was able to donate over 35 new toys to kids in our area who otherwise may not have had a gift to open at Christmastime!

Population wise, the market for individuals to acquire some level of Chronic Care/LTC Benefits has probably never been larger. Individuals, especially those who have retired or are near retirement, are increasingly concerned with what they know to be very high costs for this care. Additionally, there is concern of possibly spending down assets in order to qualify for Medicaid leaving little or no assets to pass to heirs. In previous years, the stand-a-lone LTC policy was all that was available. The downside for many prospects were the high premiums, the potential for rate hikes and the “use it or lose it” stigma should a claim never be filed. In today’s life insurance industry, there have never been more product choices to discuss with your existing clients or prospects: Universal Life products with Chronic Care/LTC Riders Universal Life product with Accelerated Benefit Endorsement built-in Single premium or flex pay life products primarily focused on LTC funds Single Pr

It's that time of year again and I wanted to share a few Required Minimum Distribution reminders of which you should be aware: With the new Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC) rules passed this year clients can now defer RMD's on up to 25% or $125,000 of qualified funds to age 85. Many clients, agents, and companies are not aware that when calculating RMD's there is an exception to using the Uniform table that can significantly decrease a client's RMD.  In most circumstances RMD's from qualified accounts should be based on the uniform table .   However, there is an exception you should know....   If the sole beneficiary of the IRA holder is a spouse 10 years or younger than the IRA holder, they can use the Joint Life & Last Survivor table. Again, this only applies if the spouse is the only primary beneficiary. If there is any other primary beneficiary (like a child), use the uniform table. IRA holders could use the uniform

Earlier this month, staff members at Great Plains Annuity & Life Marketing gathered coats and blankets for kids and adults to donate to Project Warmth Kansas City !  "Project Warmth is an initiative to collect new and gently used coats and blankets as well as cash donations to help people in need during extremely cold weather. The Midwest’s extreme conditions during severe weather—hot or cold—prompted the effort to help people in need. Ultimately, Project Warmth aims to ensure lives are not lost to frigid cold or sweltering heat." - Project Warmth Website  Hopefully, with the help of our donations, people in our local community will be a littler warmer and safer this winter.

We hope your Thanksgiving holiday will be bountiful in feast, family, friends and fun. May we all take time out to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy: living in the greatest country on earth, remembering the sacrifice of forefathers, countrymen and women to ensure our freedoms, and appreciating those we love.   Your Great Plains Family is grateful for the opportunity to serve you, and wish you a joyous Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday Season! Our Thanksgiving celebration will begin at 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 26th, returning to normal business hours on Monday, December 1st.